The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins named Tony Granato as assistant coach, announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.
Granato spent the last six seasons behind the bench for the Colorado Avalanche and served two stints as Avalanche head coach from 2002-04 and 2008-09. Granato compiled a 215-104-17-16 record and led Colorado to a Northwest Division title in 2003.
“We are excited to have a guy who’s accomplished as much as Tony join our staff as an assistant coach,” Penguins Head Coach Dan Bylsma said. “In addition to his 13 years as an NHL player, he’s also been a head coach and assistant coach for six years with the Avalanche, and all of that experience will make him a tremendous asset to the Penguins organization.”
Granato, 45, joined the Avalanche organization in June 2002 as an assistant coach. He was elevated to head coach on Dec. 18, 2002 and led the club to a 32-11-4-4 mark en route to its ninth consecutive division title. The following season Granato steered the Avalanche to a 40-22-13-7 finish and an appearance in the conference semifinals.
The Downers Grove, Illinois native served as an assistant coach for the Avalanche from 2005-08. Last season, Granato was promoted to his second tenure as the club’s head coach and oversaw the development of a young Colorado team.
Granato played 13 seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers (1988-90), Los Angeles Kings (1990-96) and San Jose Sharks (1996-2001). In 1997, he played in the NHL All-Star Game and was the recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
In 773 career games, the feisty, two-way forward posted 248 goals, 244 assists, 492 points and 1,425 penalty minutes. Granato tallied 16 goals, 43 points and 141 penalty minutes in 79 career postseason games and helped lead Los Angeles to a Stanley Cup Final berth in 1993.
Prior to joining the professional ranks, Granato played four years at the University of Wisconsin. He was named to the WCHA Second All-Star Team and NCAA West Second All-Star Team in both 1985 and ’87, and was inducted into the Badgers’ Hall of Fame in 2000.
Granato also played for the United States National Team in 1987-88 and represented his country in the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary.
